21 Healthy Instant Pot Dump Dinner Recipes That’ll Love Your Family
Life is so hectic these days, it is very difficult to find some time for yourself. But at the end of the day, our housewives spend hours and hours in the kitchen. That is why I think this Instant Pot Dump Dinner is the only solution. The recipes are easy to make and do not require any complicated ingredients. Here you have to dump all the ingredients in an Instant Pot and the rest is the magic of the Instant Pot. Your Diner will be ready in no time without any fuss.
So without wasting any more time, let’s check out the dump-and-go Instant Pot recipes.
Benefits of Instant Pot Dump Dinners
In fact, this Instant Pot dump dinner is the only solution to prepare dinner quickly and easily.
- In the case of this dump dinner, you don’t have to do unnecessary and excessive chopping, or pre-cooking, or even standing in front of something. Simply toss all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and most of these meals are ready in 30 minutes.
- Since these are one-pot recipes, you don’t need to use many utensils, i.e. extra skillets, saucepans, or baking trays. As a result, you will have more time to relax after dinner at night.
- To make these Instant Pot dump dinners, you need simple, pantry-friendly ingredients like beans, rice, frozen vegetables, and affordable cuts of meat, which is quite budget-friendly for you.
- Also, you can prepare some dump dinners in advance and store them in the refrigerator.
Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
This dump-and-go dinner recipe is super easy and my favorite. You can easily make it in the Instant Pot and it requires very little cleanup and preparation. You will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts with chicken broth, garlic, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese to make this amazing recipe.
You can add tomatoes, spinach, and a splash of heavy cream if you want, or you can take the flavor to another level by adding lemon juice, zest, and fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary. It goes well with pasta, rice, or quinoa, but if you are looking for a low-carb option, you can serve it with mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
I tried this pork recipe a long time ago when I was at my uncle's house and I really liked the taste, so I'm sharing it with you. This Instant Pot recipe, made with shredded pork, barbecue sauce, and a few spices, can be made in 50 minutes.
I like to serve it with coleslaw in sandwiches. But it can also be served very nicely with tacos or burritos. It can also be served in a wonderful combination with sweet potatoes or mac and cheese. Be sure to let me know your favorite serving idea in the comments.
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
This recipe is made almost every week at our house, especially on days when we are short on time. This Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken and Rice requires uncooked rice, chicken pieces, and a vibrant honey garlic sauce (a blend of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger). It is also very easy to make. Just dump everything together and seal it. The recipe is ready in just 30 minutes.
However, if you want to make it a balanced meal, you can add frozen peas, broccoli florets, or carrots. Also, you can use boneless pork loin or shrimp instead of chicken. Finally, garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds and serve with a simple salad.
Instant Pot Cajun Sausage and Rice
This is one of the most popular Instant Pot recipes. I hope you like this Cajun-inspired dump dinner recipe for your busy weeknights. It is a very easy recipe to make by layering rice, broth, vegetables (like bell peppers and onions), diced tomatoes, sausage (typically andouille), and Cajun seasoning. This one-pot recipe is a well-balanced meal with tender rice, savory sausage, and vibrant vegetables that are infused with Cajun seasoning.
You can add or swap your favorite veggies (corn, celery, or okra) here if you want. You can also try making it by adding coconut milk instead of broth and hope you like this new combination even more. Although it is served as a standalone meal for dinner, you can easily serve it with a salad.
Instant Pot Buffalo Ranch Shredded Chicken
Try this recipe, made with a combination of chicken breasts, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and a few spices, and I promise you won't forget the taste. This recipe, made in the Instant Pot, is easy and versatile enough for anyone to make. It also includes buffalo sausage and a flavor boost of garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika, making it a great combination.
You can add shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese if you want. After making it, just shred it and serve it with your favorite tortilla or taco. You can also serve it beautifully with rice, quinoa, and roasted vegetables.
Instant Pot Shrimp Jambalaya Recipe
So far, my favorite thing is shrimp, which I love in any recipe. This is one of the best, cheap, and easy instant pot recipes. This incredibly easy recipe can be made in the Instant Pot with a combination of smoked sausage, shrimp, rice, vegetables, and some flavorful spices. Just combine all the ingredients, sump, and seal, and the Instant Pot will do the rest.
You can use chicken or crawfish instead of shrimp here. Also, many people want to add a little more veggies to it, so bell peppers (different colors), okra, or corn are a great choice. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions and serve this dinner recipe with a side of sweet potato fries.
Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos Recipe
This instant pot dump dinner recipe, made with beef chuck roast, diced tomatoes, green chilies, onions, and a blend of Mexican spices, is a favorite because it has a Mexican twist. Adding bell peppers or corn to this shredded beef will not only enhance its flavor but also its nutritional value.
Serve the shredded beef in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa, and sour cream. However, my favorite way is to layer the beef on a rice bowl, and serve it with black beans, corn, guacamole, and pico de gallo. Be sure to let me know your favorite serving ideas in the comments.
Instant Pot Honey-Mustard Salmon with Potatoes Recipe
This Instant Pot Salmon recipe is delicious, easy, and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. You can easily make this Instant Pot recipe with potatoes, butter or oil, salmon, lemon, garlic powder, mustard, honey, ground ginger, and a few other simple ingredients.
However, I like to add a light Mediterranean flavor to this recipe, so I would also suggest adding a little olives, and oregano. You can serve this salmon as a complete meal with steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus. However, it can be served as a side with quinoa or rice, but try it in tacos or any wrap with lemon dill sauce and serve it and let me know your experience in the comments.
Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
If you want to know about my favorite teriyaki flavor dishes in the Instant Pot dump recipes, this Teriyaki Chicken with Vegetables is my favorite. This recipe made in the pressure cooker system is very easy and delicious. It uses a wonderful homemade teriyaki sauce (soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, and a few other key ingredients) which makes its flavor very tempting. You can prepare this recipe in about 30-40 minutes.
The best time to add veggies in it is a few minutes before the last one when you can add your favorite veggies like broccoli florets, bell peppers, or carrots. Also, many people add pineapple pieces to give it a tropical twist, but that is completely optional. Although it can be served with rice or quinoa, I prefer it with lettuce wraps or tacos.
Instant Pot Clam Chowder
This simple dump-and-go recipe is easy to make and is made with a combination of simple ingredients like potatoes, onions, celery, clam juice, spices, and canned clams. All you have to do is combine all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and seal it, and the Instant Pot does the rest. Finally, add cream and a cornstarch slurry to thicken the chowder preparation with a quick pressure release and a little stirring.
You can also add cooked shrimp, scallops, or cod to this recipe if you like. Also, diced carrots, bell peppers, or corn kernels are great choices that add sweetness and a wonderful texture to this recipe. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives and serve this Clam Chowder with oyster crackers or crusty bread.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
For those who love Tuscan flavors, this recipe can bring you heaven because it also falls under the category of dump dinner, meaning you can make it in the Instant Pot. Made with chicken thighs (or breasts), tomatoes, spinach, heavy cream, and a blend of Italian seasonings, this chicken recipe can be made with minimal preparation and in 45 minutes.
However, the recipe is very versatile, if you like a richer flavor, you can add artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers. You can also try using half heavy cream and half coconut cream. Although this Tuscan chicken is great served with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, I prefer it with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles as a low-carb option.
Instant Pot Mongolian Beef and Broccoli
For those of you who think this dish is only available in restaurants, you are completely wrong. You can easily make this amazing recipe at home. With soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sriracha, you can make this recipe in the Instant Pot with very little preparation and cleanup. This recipe is actually made based on layering. With the above ingredients, you add the beef slices to the Instant Pot and add the broccoli on top at the end of the sauce. This method allows the beef to become tender and flavorful, while the broccoli retains a slight crispness.
You can use firm tofu or tempeh instead of beef here. Also, bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas are very good options.
FAQ
1. Can I use frozen meat for dump dinner?
Yes! The Instant Pot is great for cooking frozen meat. However, keep these tips in mind:
Adjust the cooking time: Increase by about 5-10 minutes for frozen chicken breasts and 10-15 minutes for frozen roasts.
Avoid large frozen blocks: Meat should be separated as much as possible to ensure even cooking.
2. What is the best way to prevent burn symptoms?
Burn symptoms occur when food sticks to the bottom of the pot. To avoid this:
Add enough liquid: The Instant Pot needs at least 1 cup of liquid to create steam.
Layer properly: Place liquids and sauces on the bottom, then place proteins and dry ingredients on top.
Deglaze the pot: After frying, use a splash of broth or water to scrape up browned bits.
3. Can I make dump dinner in advance?
Absolutely! Make a freezer-friendly dump meal bag:
Place all raw ingredients (except dairy) in a freezer bag.
Label the bag with cooking instructions.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to cook, dump everything into the Instant Pot (add an extra 5 minutes if cooking from frozen).
4. How long does it take to cook an Instant Pot meal?
Most dump dinners take 5-20 minutes of active pressure cooking. However, consider the 30-45 minute total cooking time for preheating (5-10 minutes) and natural release (5-15 minutes for meat).
5. Can I double a recipe in the Instant Pot?
Yes, but keep these things in mind:
Don’t overfill: The pot should not exceed the maximum fill line.
Adjust liquids accordingly: More ingredients may require additional liquid.
Cooking time stays the same: Pressure cooking time doesn’t change, but it will take longer to reach pressure.
6. Can I make dump dinner dairy-free or gluten-free?
Dairy-free: Use coconut milk or dairy-free yogurt instead of cream.
Gluten-free: Use rice or gluten-free pasta instead of pasta and check sauce labels for hidden gluten.
7. Why is my Instant Pot meal too watery?
Dump dinners can sometimes have excess liquid because there’s no evaporation in a sealed container. To fix this:
Use less broth (start with ¾ cup instead of 1 cup).
Use the sauté function to boil away excess liquid after cooking.
Add a thickening agent like cornstarch slurry or heavy cream.